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If you’re searching for your next period drama starring a strong female lead, then you’ve not got far to go.
Praised for its writing and acting, this sixteenth-century-set series was a hit with critics when it came out in 2022.
It’s scored a perfect 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and a solid 7.7 out of 10 on IMDb.
We’re talking about The Serpent Queen, now streaming for free on Channel 4.
A synopsis on the streaming site calls it a ‘stylish historical drama chronicling the rise of Catherine de Medici who, against all odds, became one of the most powerful and longest-serving rulers in French history’.
Starring Samantha Morton and Liv Hill as Catherine, the series also boasts names like Minnie Driver, Charles Dance and Ruby Bentall.
Catherine became queen consort in 1547 after marrying King Henry II of France, but things weren’t straight forward in their marriage – she discovered her dowry was unpaid, she wasn’t able to easily conceive, and her husband was in love with somebody else. Originally from Italy, Catherine was also considered an outsider by many.
Nicknamed the ‘serpent queen’, she dominated French politics for three decades. Catherine was known for entering bloody wars and acquired a reputation for being ruthless and cunning.
The series is based on Leonie Frieda’s book Catherine de Medici: Renaissance Queen of France and is a dramatisation of the powerful European’s years.
Reviewers online were big fans, with one user on IMDb writing: ‘The Serpent Queen is one of the most engaging shows out at the moment. Exceptionally well written and acted, it flows along and keeps you watching and waiting for the next instalment.’
Starz, who made the show, has given the series a modern twist with a rock song soundtracking the trailer, a highly stylised feel to the production, and sharp humour underscoring the script.
It ran for two series and Mel C on Rotten Tomatoes said the second season was ‘excellent’ and ‘as great as the first’.
A.M called it ‘magnificent’ and ‘a tour de force’. He went on: ‘Addictive, stunningly beautiful.’
The Serpent Queen is available to stream on Channel 4.
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